July 2016

19 July 2016 - Domestic Cruising Growth Boosts Australian Cruise Passenger Numbers to New Record

Posted by: Nic Rone

The Stats don't lie. Cruising is 'THE' market force in travel today and remains one of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry worldwide with no signs of slowing down.

Nothing else comes close to the growth being experienced by the Cruise industry worldwide, and with still such a small percentage of Australians having cruised compared the the likes of the United States, companies see gold in our Australian Waters which means bigger and better ships, more diverse options to choose from, and more value for money for Aussie holidaymakers as each competes for that hard earned dollar.

To get an idea of the statistics involved, just take a look at the latest Media Release from CLIA, the industry's leading voice throughout Australia and Worldwide.

Domestic Cruising Growth Boosts Australian Cruise Passenger Numbers to New Record

A surge in domestic cruises has helped drive Australian ocean cruise passenger numbers to a new high, according to an industry report released today. The report shows that the total number of Australians taking an ocean cruise worldwide swelled by almost 15 per cent in 2015 to reach a record 1,058,781 passengers, with a 42 per cent hike in domestic cruise passenger numbers contributing significantly to the result.

The growth in cruising in Australian waters saw local passenger numbers rise by more than 80,000 to 269,915 – a result which means one in four Australian cruise passengers took a domestic ocean cruise last year.

Meanwhile the number of Australians taking an ocean cruise in Asia jumped 71.5 per cent from 55,000 in 2014 to 95,000 in 2015.

Released in Sydney today, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report reveals that Australia once again leads the global cruise industry in terms of market penetration, with the equivalent of 4.5 per cent of the Australian population taking a cruise last year.

The industry’s 14.6 per cent annual growth rate was the second highest recorded by an international cruise region last year, with only the emerging market of China reporting stronger growth (40.3 per cent).

The annual report, which is now focussed solely on ocean cruising in line with international CLIA reporting, shows that Australian ocean cruise passenger numbers have increased by an impressive annual average of 19.2 per cent since 2006.

The study also found that 135,000 more Australians took a cruise last year than in 2014 - one of the biggest increases on record in real terms.

Commenting on the report’s findings, CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell said Australians were responding to the increasing array of cruises on offer.

“In 2015 we saw a range of new shorter coastal cruises sailing from Australian homeports and these have clearly captured the imagination of Australians, who see them as a new way to explore their nation,” Mr Odell said. “What’s more, many of these cruises are calling at regional ports around the coastline, creating a lot of chatter and enticing more Australians to try a holiday at sea, while also injecting valuable dollars into local economies.” Mr Odell said the expanding range of cruise options in Asia was also tempting Australians, with new itineraries available from China, Japan and Singapore in 2015. “Whether they are on a four-day cruise to a Queensland island or a 14-day voyage exploring the exotic ports of Asia, clearly more Australians are discovering that cruising is an easy, relaxing and great value way to holiday.”

Other key findings of the 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report include:

The South Pacific maintained its position as Australians’ favourite cruise destination attracting more than one-third of ocean cruise passengers (383,889). Australia was the second favourite destination.

Europe remained the leading long-haul destination and Australians’ third most popular destination overall, attracting 9.5 per cent of passengers (101,419)

The number of Australians cruising to New Zealand rose by 13.5 per cent to break through the 100,000 mark for the first time

Short break cruises of four days or less leapt in popularity, growing by 25 per cent in 2015, while cruises of 15-21 days rose by more than 50 per cent

Close to 90 per cent of all Australians cruising in 2014 took a cruise of 14 days or less

At a State level, NSW was the biggest source of cruisers (421,950) while Queensland recorded the strongest growth with cruise numbers from the State rising by almost 30 per cent compared to 2014, giving the state a record population penetration rate of 5.9 per cent.

Australians spent an estimated 10.4 million days at sea in 2015, with an average ocean cruise length of 9.8 days

Australia was the fourth largest source market in the world in 2015, accounting for 4.6 per cent of global cruise passengers The annual source market report is based on data received from CLIA’s cruise line members, which account for more than 95 per cent of the world’s cruise passengers.

A copy of the report can be downloaded from www.cruising.org.au

About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice Established in 1975, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. As the largest cruise industry trade association with 15 offices globally, CLIA has representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA’s mission is to support policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 23 million passengers who cruise annually, as well as promote the cruise travel experience. Members are committed to the sustained success of the cruise industry and are comprised of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and other cruise industry partners, including ports, destinations, ship developers, suppliers, business services and travel operators.

19 July 2016 - USE YOUR AMERICAN EXPRESS POINTS TO PAY FOR ANY TRAVEL

PAY FOR YOUR TRAVEL USING MEMBERSHIP REWARDS POINTS

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Use as many points as you choose and pay the remaining balance on your Card

Use your points to pay for travel for anyone – family, friends and employees.

This is a really clever way to maximise your travel spend, so ask your Varsity Lakes Travel consultant how to really make your rewards points work for you.

19 July 2016 - LAY-BY YOUR CRUISE or HOLIDAY

Posted by: Nic Rone

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Varsity Lakes Travel holds an unrestricted Travel Agents Licence,
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